After QB Baker Mayfield’s release, Panthers players, head coach Steve Wilks weigh in
Monday morning, Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks met with quarterbacks Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker and Baker Mayfield to go over the depth chart.
Wilks meets with the quarterbacks every week, but this meeting was different because all three quarterbacks were healthy for the first time since training camp. Wilks had already named Darnold the starter. But he waited until after the bye week to anoint a backup. Walker had been battling a high ankle sprain that kept him out the past two games.
Monday, Wilks said Walker was healthy enough to back up Darnold. That meant — for the first time all season — Mayfield was the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
“Baker has been nothing but a professional since he’s been here. He is a complete pro. I have tremendous respect for him,” Wilks said. “This is a tough business. ... It’s a tough decision on my part. But it was something that I felt was the best move for the team moving forward.”
Shortly after Wilks informed the quarterbacks, Mayfield met with general manager Scott Fitterer and asked for his release. The team honored the request. At 11:36 a.m. Monday, the team posted Mayfield’s departure on its website.
“It shocked the whole locker room,” wide receiver D.J. Moore said. “I seen him before coach Wilks announced it. He told me and he was pretty upset. ... You could see that he really did not want to leave, but it’s a part of the business.”
Mayfield apparently did not want to leave Carolina, but doing so now might help him find playing time elsewhere before becoming a free agent in March. When Wilks named Walker the backup, it became likely that Mayfield would never play another down as a Panther.
After meeting with the quarterbacks, Wilks informed the team and then began preparing for the Seattle Seahawks. Mayfield will be subject to waivers and can be claimed by another team at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
“Baker had told us (in the locker room), then Wilks told the whole team,” linebacker Shaq Thompson said. “It’s a sad time any time seeing one of your brothers leave, especially when you only got like five games with them. Baker was great to us here. ... I wish he stayed through the season, but we are going to miss Baker.”
Thompson and Mayfield bonded early in training camp when the two traveled together to Spartanburg. Both were voted team captains after the preseason.
But those happy times did not last. Mayfield (1-5 as Carolina’s starter) completed 57.8% of his passes for 1,313 passing yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts. The Panthers’ offense was better with Darnold or Walker at quarterback.
Off the field, Mayfield is regarded as sharp with an infectious personality. Wilks says Mayfield “is an alpha” nearly every chance he gets. Monday, Wilks said Mayfield was a major reason why he joined the Cleveland Browns as a defensive coordinator in 2019.
“As I told him today, my decision at the time to go to Cleveland was all based off him and their offense,” Wilks said, “and having an opportunity to be with a productive team that I felt could move the ball.”
Those days feel like forever ago. Still, teammates vouched for Mayfield. He did everything well as a Panther — except throwing the football.
With the bye week behind them, the Panthers shift their attention to Seattle. Carolina (4-8) can still win the NFC South. Meanwhile, Mayfield will likely have a new home before Wednesday.
“I know Baker (Mayfield) was a good person,” Thompson said. “He was a great teammate, a great leader and had great energy. ... I love him as a brother.”
